What size are English Pool Tables?

We often get asked the question ‘What size is an English pub pool table’?

Well the answer is quite simple. There are two official full size league pool tables that are used in pubs, clubs and tournaments throughout Britain.

Official league tables are either 6ft or 7ft in size. Both the 6ft x 3’6 and the 7ft x 4ft tables are found in bars throughout Britain.

So which table size is best?

When English pool was first invented in the early 70’s there was only one size of table. This was the 7ft x 4ft pool table and it was developed for the UK pub market.

Before the invention of these tables the American larger tables were the only real option for players. The problem with the larger American tables was that in the UK space is at a premium and pubs simply did not have the room for the larger size game.

Also the American pool tables use the bigger 2 ¼ inch balls and have bigger pockets. UK cue sports fans had always enjoyed the skill element of snooker and this meant the American game wasn’t as popular with players.

The 7ft English pool tables were produced with a similar ball to pocket ratio to Snooker. They also used the woollen napped cloth that you find on snooker tables instead of the faster worsted speed cloth found on the American models. This created a higher skill level for the player and also solved the space issue for most pubs.

Suddenly UK pool was born and the demand could not have been higher.

The Superleague pool tables produced by Hazel Grove in Stockport were the table of choice and they could not be made quickly enough. The game of pool boomed and every pub in the country wanted a table. 

Although the 7ft UK made table solved the space problem for the majority of pubs it was still too large for many. This is when the 6ft x 3’6 table came into production. It still had a large enough playing surface to provide an enjoyable game.

Still to this day the majority of pubs have a 7ft table but the 6ft is growing in popularity. It is difficult to put an exact figure on the split of tables in the bars. These days so many pubs are closing or becoming food led that the pool tables are disappearing at an alarming rate. We would however guess that around 70% of UK bars have 7ft tables and 30% are 6ft tables.

In terms of which is best. Both Pool Tables really provide an excellent game. The 7ft has a slightly higher skill level but both table sizes provide great entertainment.

Is the playing surface 6ft or 7ft?

A common mistake made with UK pool table size is often regarding the actual playing surface of the table.

When talking about a UK table we talk about the overall table size and not the playing area. The 7ft UK table means that the overall cabinet dimensions are 7ft x 4ft and not the playing surface.

The confusion again comes from the original American game of pool. American tables are usually 7ft, 8ft or 9ft in size. The American table size relates to the actual playing surface and not the cabinet size. So a 7ft American table has a playing area of 7ft and not the overall cabinet size which would be bigger still.

So the thing to always bear in mind when talking about the size of a UK pool table you are talking about the overall table size and not the playing area size.

The UK Game

UK pool is not a worldwide game. The smaller ball tables were developed for a nation that enjoyed going to the pubs but where space was at a premium.

Very few other nations enjoyed the bar culture as Britain did. Also overseas Taverns or Café bars were generally larger in size than UK pubs and not as condensed.

Therefore the smaller pool table was never really a necessity as it was in Britain.

Hazel Grove who pioneered the English pool table game with the Superleague table did have huge success in selling tables to mainland Europe. They opened factories in France and Spain and created a thriving English pool scene in these countries. Still to this day the game flourishes in France and Spain and some other countries such as Morocco.

However the majority of the world still plays the American game of pool on the larger tables.

Home Pool Tables

Table manufacturers started to produce non coin versions of pub tables for the home market in the 80s. Again with Britain being a heavily populated Island the houses tend to be smaller and space is always an issue.

However the smaller size tables really opened up a new market which allowed the UK home owner to replicate the game they played in the bars at home.

This market has flourished in the last 20 years. Due to the decline of the traditional pub and the cost of a night out we have found that staying in is definitely the new going out. People are creating home entertainment and the pool table plays a key roll in this.

Another major development for the home market was the pool dining table. This meant that suddenly you did not require a dining room and a games room. These dual purpose tables kept everyone happy and remain to this day probably our best selling table models.

What Size Table Should I buy.

The first thing to be aware of when deciding what table size

to buy is that both the 6ft and 7ft tables provide an excellent and enjoyable game. You get a really entertaining and skilful game on both table sizes.

We usually recommend the 7ft table if you have the space but we would not advise trying to squeeze a 7ft into a room just for the sake of it. If however you are adamant on the 7ft table as that is what you are use to playing on then we can provide shorter cues which may help.

Sometimes people prefer the 6ft tables as they tend to not dominate a room as much. If this is a concern for you then we would advise looking for a slim line bodied table as they are not as imposing as the deeper bodied pub style tables.

The smallest size UK slate tables produced are 6ft size. Anything smaller would be a wood bed table and not an official league size so we would not advise looking at smaller than a 6ft.

The choice is yours and we would always recommend doing your homework before deciding. Measure the room, even put a dummy outline of the table size on the room floor. All this will help in making the correct table choice.

If you are still not 100% sure of what size is best for you. Please give us a call or drop us an email and we would be happy to help.

We hope this provides a slightly clearer idea of what size pool tables are in Britain. If you would like to see a range of pool tables we supply please click HERE.